what is the "great controversy" all about? does this person have a pretty good idea of it?

http://www.gregboyd.org/essays/essays-jesus/the-christus-victor-view-of-the-atonement/

The author of the article has written two major books on the subject, over 1,000 pages in all. One book is called "Satan and the Problem of Evil." The other is "God at War." The article is not even scratching the surface (He's also written a less academic book, aimed at the general public, called "Is God to Blame?").

Many non-SDA's think the "Great Controversy" is something an SDA made up (namely, Ellen White), but here's a non-SDA who's written hundreds of pages on the subject, using nothing but Scripture to back up his ideas. In his book he calls the theme "Trinitarian Warfare" (which we, as Adventists, would call "The Great Controversy.)

Here's an article where he talks about it: http://www.gregboyd.org/category/essays/essays-spiritual-warfare/the-warfare-worldview/

"Christus Victor" is dealing specifically with the atonement, but it can easily seen that the concepts morph into each other.

does his understanding match what has been laid out for us in the sop?

if so, is God raising others to join in our message?

There are things in his understanding that are different than what SDA's believe, but he has many great insights. God isn't stingy with truth.

so what all is involved in the great controversy between Christ and satan?

"From the first, the great controversy had been upon the law of God. Satan had sought to prove that God was unjust, and that His law was faulty, and that the good of the universe required it to be changed. In attacking the law, he aimed to overthrow the authority of its Author. In the controversy it was to be shown whether the divine statutes were defective and subject to change, or perfect and immutable." {ST, November 4, 1908 par. 12}

The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning the law of God. Upon this battle we are now entering. {CC 210.5}

From the opening of the great controversy it has been Satan's purpose to misrepresent God's character, and to excite rebellion against His law. {AG 130.3}

Separation from his Father, the punishment for transgression, was to fall upon him, in order to magnify God's law and testify to its immutability. And this was forever to settle the controversy between Satan and the Prince of heaven in regard to the changeless character of that law. {ST, December 9, 1897 par. 5}

When Christ entered upon His campaign, Satan met Him and contested every inch of ground, exerting his utmost powers to conquer Him. Much was involved in this controversy. Intense interests were at stake. The questions to be answered were: "Is God's law imperfect, in need of being amended or abrogated? or is it immutable? Is God's government stable? or is it in need of changes?" Not only before those living in the city of God, but before the inhabitants of all the heavenly universe, were these questions to be answered. . . . {TDG 14.1}

Well, I could quote more passages, but I think these are enough to establish the fact that the great controversy between Christ and Satan centers around the law of God (to which God's character and government are related). I haven't read Boyd's articles, but I suspect this perspective, which characterizes Ellen White's thought, is lacking in his writings.

Hmm, Tom, you read the books? What does Boyd say regarding Rosangelas point?

why would you suspect that without reading him?

sdas are not the only ones who preach the law. i hear others who preach it much better than we do because they are not vague. they get down to what each law means and how we are to treat each other. ellen white calls it practical/primitive godliness. i dont hear that in our church.

last sabbath i heard one of the greatest sermons by charles stanleys son taken from phillipians 2 and Christs humility for husbands and wives. the radio station i listen to has several 10-15 min segments a day of sermonettes on true godliness, which is the law.

while i do know that the vast majority of the christian world is looking for a "feelgood" religion i do meet people from various churches who regularly meet and study the scriptures encouraging each other in the way of godliness.

Does he speak about the law?

the link was provided. that way you will know for yourself what he says and not be going on anyones say so, or potentiall faulty understanding.

anyway,

It was through Satan's misrepresentation of God's character that man was led to doubt the reality of his love,

and came to look upon God as his enemy.

As Satan had done in heaven, so he did on earth,--declared God's government unjust,

the restrictions of his law unnecessary, and bade man, as he had angels, to throw aside the yoke and let the dictates of their own nature be their only guide and law.

He promised liberty; but as he himself is the servant of corruption, he brought the race into bondage, to sin, misery, and death.

He represented God as claiming all and giving nothing,
as requiring men's service for his own glory,
but denying himself nothing for man's good. {ST, February 13, 1893 par. 6}